Developed in the early 1900’s as a breed suitability test for German Shepherd Dogs, Schutzhund has since developed in a dog sport testing the workability of various dog breeds including but not limited to Giant Schnauzers, Doberman Pinchers, Rottweilers, Belgian Malinois, Dutch Shepherds and mixed breeds who have demonstrated working characteristics.
The sport is comprised of three different phases: Tracking, Obedience and Protection.
Tracking: The dog must retrace the path of a person (400-1500+ yards with 2-4 turns) after 20-60 minutes have elapsed and be able to find 2-3 lost articles, regardless of weather conditions.
Obedience: The dog must follow the handler's orders to heel both on and off leash, jump, retrieve, retrieve over a 6 foot wall, and send away. The dog must not be intimidated by any distractions, including the sound of a gun or a group of strangers milling about.
Protection and Obedience under a Conflict Situation: The dog must, without handler assistance, respond properly in critical situations like finding and warning its handler of a hidden person, preventing an assault on his handler, and stopping the villain from escaping. The dog must distinguish between a harmless bystander and a potentially dangerous person. He must display courage but restraint on his own when the agitator gives up.
There are three different levels of Schutzhund titles and each level is increasingly more difficult to earn (SchH1 to SchH2 then to SchH3 degree). Available also are an Endurance certificate (AD), Obedience Titles (OB1, OB2, OB3), Tracking Titles (TR1, TR2, TR3) and advanced Tracking Degree (FH1 and FH2). Before a dog is able to receive any titles they must successfully complete a BH (Begleithundprüfung).
The sport is comprised of three different phases: Tracking, Obedience and Protection.
Tracking: The dog must retrace the path of a person (400-1500+ yards with 2-4 turns) after 20-60 minutes have elapsed and be able to find 2-3 lost articles, regardless of weather conditions.
Obedience: The dog must follow the handler's orders to heel both on and off leash, jump, retrieve, retrieve over a 6 foot wall, and send away. The dog must not be intimidated by any distractions, including the sound of a gun or a group of strangers milling about.
Protection and Obedience under a Conflict Situation: The dog must, without handler assistance, respond properly in critical situations like finding and warning its handler of a hidden person, preventing an assault on his handler, and stopping the villain from escaping. The dog must distinguish between a harmless bystander and a potentially dangerous person. He must display courage but restraint on his own when the agitator gives up.
There are three different levels of Schutzhund titles and each level is increasingly more difficult to earn (SchH1 to SchH2 then to SchH3 degree). Available also are an Endurance certificate (AD), Obedience Titles (OB1, OB2, OB3), Tracking Titles (TR1, TR2, TR3) and advanced Tracking Degree (FH1 and FH2). Before a dog is able to receive any titles they must successfully complete a BH (Begleithundprüfung).